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Lyn Jones: Dragons in much better shape for Edinburgh clash

NEWPORT Gwent Dragons director of rugby Lyn Jones hailed the character of his charges for salvaging a 25-25 draw against Zebre, writes Chris Kirwan.

The Rodney Parade region didn't get the win that they desired in Parma but managed to avoid coming a cropper at the Stadio XXV Aprile thanks to Jevon Groves' late try that was expertly converted by Jason Tovey from wide on the right.

After crushing defeats to Ulster and Connacht it looked like the Dragons would pay the price for getting on the wrong side of referee Peter Fitzgibbon when Italy fly-half Luciano Orquera booted his way to a 17-point haul.

But the region fought back to claim a draw that helped them climb back above Edinburgh, who they host at Rodney Parade on Thursday, into eighth in the RaboDirect Pro12 table.

"We are heading into the game against Edinburgh in much better shape and I am very pleased about that," said Jones.

"I was delighted to the response to what happened against Connacht. Okay, we didn't get the win that we wanted against Zebre but we got the performance in lots of respects.

"We looked ten times better than we did against Connacht and the way that they players managed the week of build-up to the game was really good.

"They took responsibility and we saw a response and plenty of character to at least get a draw."

The Dragons will be without centre Ashley Smith for the Edinburgh clash after the 27-year-old suffered an injury while scoring in the first half. He will have a scan on his left foot today.

Edinburgh were also in Italy at the weekend and suffered a 20-16 defeat to Treviso, although Cornell Du Preez's fine score with the last play meant that they at least had the consolation of a bonus point.

I can't understand how we are in much better shape for the Edinburgh game. We lost against Connacht and drew against bottom of the league. How are we in better shape? It doesn't make sense!

I can't understand how we are in much better shape for the Edinburgh game. We lost against Connacht and drew against bottom of the league. How are we in better shape? It doesn't make sense!b3talover

I can't understand how we are in much better shape for the Edinburgh game. We lost against Connacht and drew against bottom of the league. How are we in better shape? It doesn't make sense!

Score: 0

ten2two
3:53pm Mon 31 Mar 14

some people are idiot, what where you expecting from this season, we are above the blues, and no longer the basement team of welsh rugby! this in itself is a success, the coaches have had little resource and inherited a team that is by far the worst off all the regions... BY FAR

I think it all points to a positive future and dragons fans have a good reason to be optimistic, but believe me there will be more hiccups along the way!

some people are idiot, what where you expecting from this season, we are above the blues, and no longer the basement team of welsh rugby! this in itself is a success, the coaches have had little resource and inherited a team that is by far the worst off all the regions... BY FAR
I think it all points to a positive future and dragons fans have a good reason to be optimistic, but believe me there will be more hiccups along the way!ten2two

some people are idiot, what where you expecting from this season, we are above the blues, and no longer the basement team of welsh rugby! this in itself is a success, the coaches have had little resource and inherited a team that is by far the worst off all the regions... BY FAR

I think it all points to a positive future and dragons fans have a good reason to be optimistic, but believe me there will be more hiccups along the way!

Score: 4

Robert Shillabeer
5:35pm Mon 31 Mar 14

Is Mr bump being serious or just taking the p? This season is by far better than last season. The game against Conaught was very poor and the game against Zebra could have been better but we did score three tries to one and I think the ref is so poor and bias in many of his decisions it made it a lottery. He is always the same with the Dragons, something in his make up perhaps. Fans should remember the Blues lost twice to Zebra home and away and give some credit to Zebra they have improved this year. It's now a tight fight to see which Italian side qualifies for the senior cup comp. the Ospreys don't win every game so why should everyone think we can win every game, try yes and anything less is unacceptable but please live in the real world. As far as the head coach resigning he's doing what he is paid for, improving the Dragons performance throughout the season, it will be better next year with some new and better players coming in.

Is Mr bump being serious or just taking the p? This season is by far better than last season. The game against Conaught was very poor and the game against Zebra could have been better but we did score three tries to one and I think the ref is so poor and bias in many of his decisions it made it a lottery. He is always the same with the Dragons, something in his make up perhaps. Fans should remember the Blues lost twice to Zebra home and away and give some credit to Zebra they have improved this year. It's now a tight fight to see which Italian side qualifies for the senior cup comp. the Ospreys don't win every game so why should everyone think we can win every game, try yes and anything less is unacceptable but please live in the real world. As far as the head coach resigning he's doing what he is paid for, improving the Dragons performance throughout the season, it will be better next year with some new and better players coming in.Robert Shillabeer

Is Mr bump being serious or just taking the p? This season is by far better than last season. The game against Conaught was very poor and the game against Zebra could have been better but we did score three tries to one and I think the ref is so poor and bias in many of his decisions it made it a lottery. He is always the same with the Dragons, something in his make up perhaps. Fans should remember the Blues lost twice to Zebra home and away and give some credit to Zebra they have improved this year. It's now a tight fight to see which Italian side qualifies for the senior cup comp. the Ospreys don't win every game so why should everyone think we can win every game, try yes and anything less is unacceptable but please live in the real world. As far as the head coach resigning he's doing what he is paid for, improving the Dragons performance throughout the season, it will be better next year with some new and better players coming in.

Score: 5

Caerleonboy
6:09pm Mon 31 Mar 14

There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.

There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.Caerleonboy

There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.

Score: 8

Robert Shillabeer
6:29pm Mon 31 Mar 14

Caerleonboy wrote…

There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.

Exactly Caerleonboy, to turn an average side into a top class side goes take a bit of time but I think Mr Bump was just stirring things up a bit.

[quote][p][bold]Caerleonboy[/bold] wrote:
There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.[/p][/quote]Exactly Caerleonboy, to turn an average side into a top class side goes take a bit of time but I think Mr Bump was just stirring things up a bit.Robert Shillabeer

Caerleonboy wrote…

There's a definite improvement on last year, I don't think anyone can argue with that. We appear to have better quality players joining us than leaving us at the end of the season, which couldn't be said for the past few years, which is surely a positive. Yes there have been some poor performances, but with the money and resources available to us we can't be expected to be top of the league the first season a new coaching team takes over. We probably have the smallest budget and lowest number of (proper) internationals in the league, and don't have the quality foreigners other sides have (yet). Don't forget, most of our signings last summer were made before the Joneses were signed up, so over the next few seasons we should see the squad be adapted to how they think it will bring the best results. The coaches have done a decent job, and I honestly can't see how sacking them and replacing them (with who, and at what cost?) would be of any benefit.

Exactly Caerleonboy, to turn an average side into a top class side goes take a bit of time but I think Mr Bump was just stirring things up a bit.

Score: 2

Amber in the blood
7:48pm Mon 31 Mar 14

What the chuff are you people on ? The team are a joke,Lyn and his side kick should walk away before they get in to deep, Lyn Jones will bankrupt the dragons, YES keep the clown in charge and get rid of this rubbish totally.

" WHO LET THE DOGS OUT"

What the chuff are you people on ? The team are a joke,Lyn and his side kick should walk away before they get in to deep, Lyn Jones will bankrupt the dragons, YES keep the clown in charge and get rid of this rubbish totally.
" WHO LET THE DOGS OUT"Amber in the blood

What the chuff are you people on ? The team are a joke,Lyn and his side kick should walk away before they get in to deep, Lyn Jones will bankrupt the dragons, YES keep the clown in charge and get rid of this rubbish totally.

" WHO LET THE DOGS OUT"

Score: -9

noddy3uk
7:49am Tue 1 Apr 14

Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.

Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.noddy3uk

Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.

Score: 2

Amber in the blood
9:24pm Wed 2 Apr 14

noddy3uk wrote…

Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.

A bit bitter and twisted think not - Seven should have gone a long time age, I think its called being realistic. Both the Jones boys can go they can take Seven with them.

[quote][p][bold]noddy3uk[/bold] wrote:
Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.[/p][/quote]A bit bitter and twisted think not - Seven should have gone a long time age, I think its called being realistic. Both the Jones boys can go they can take Seven with them.Amber in the blood

noddy3uk wrote…

Amber in the blood and you a bit bitter and twisted, Lyn has only just taking over the team, look at Sven he' been there for ever and a day and Newport is still rubbish so before criticizing I suggest on gets his own house in order, and before you ask I'm a member of both teams.

A bit bitter and twisted think not - Seven should have gone a long time age, I think its called being realistic. Both the Jones boys can go they can take Seven with them.

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